Chapter 111
The second generation Beastkin lifeforms are manufactured based on a Strain’s core. Therefore, they are humanoid Strains themselves. While their destructive power is inferior, their regenerative abilities and speed are unmatched.
Or so it should be.
「Tch!」
「That’s the third time, including Ver3.00.」
Luck further increases her acceleration. Her speed has already reached the subsonic range, the limit at which shock waves would injure her own body. At dozens of times the speed of cars running around, the knife assaults the 「Anfangsrot」 with a velocity worthy of being called lightning-fast.
However, the red machine’s solution is simple. If it can’t win with speed, it will win with quickness. The 「Anfangsrot」, already in motion before the acceleration, slightly shifts its lightweight frame thanks to MNB and avoids the blade stabbing vertically. Furthermore, Luck has no choice but to dodge with room to spare the crushing kick launched while intentionally breaking its left foot stance.
Because a mallet-like strike falls in a rotating trajectory without a moment’s delay. All movements are simultaneous. Nakamoto Tsuyoshi has completely read Luck’s movements. After the instant intersection ends, the whirled-up debris and further devastated ground belatedly demonstrate its destructive power. The figure seen after the dust settles is covered in wounds everywhere without a single unscathed spot, yet the machine continues to stand.
(This is troublesome. It takes a certain level of power to pierce that armor and deal a fatal blow. But if I try to push through as is, I’ll be swept away and only destroy the armor. On top of that, there’s even the possibility of me taking damage using that as bait. What’s going on with him? He’s too strong for a human.)
Luck won’t lose in this situation. The spec difference remains cruel no matter what, and Nakamoto Tsuyoshi’s MNB will run out before long, ending this equilibrium. But the problem is Shiroinu Reina. Even if she manages to defeat this machine, if she takes damage, Reina will seize that opening and catch her. Luck raises her ears to search for Reina’s location and quips lightly to avoid her intentions being discerned.
「How are you reading ahead? Is it an ability?」
「Well, you could call it an ability. Though experience might be more accurate. I’ve drilled your data from last time into my body.」
「That’s an intriguing expression. What about the me over there?」
「Stop it, I’m a one-woman man. As for the you over there… it was pitiful.」
「?」
「After causing a great deal of damage, you were beaten to death by Shiroinu.」
「That’s so like big sis. Then I’ll have to work hard to avoid that this time!」
『This is 「Tonbo」. Why is Shiroinu Reina not here?!』
The voice interrupting their conversation flows from the comm device on Luck’s chest, the voice of an 「SOD」 member. Looking up at the sky, a woman wearing Japanese-style clothing with a height of about 170 cm is flying, befitting her name. Metal wings can be seen on her back.
「Tonbo」. Luck’s client this time. Somehow, she found Luck and negotiated that only a second-generation Beastkin can fight against another second-generation Beastkin. She seems to be providing information from the sky, taking advantage of her flight ability.
But even she can’t find Shiroinu Reina. Where on earth did she go? The most plausible possibility is underground, but that’s strange. There are still no reports of 「SOD」 engaging in battle via communication. In that case, she has no need to hurry. What in the world is she doing?
The 「Anfangsrot」 swiftly flies to the rear. With a landing unbefitting its appearance thanks to MNB, it touches down in one of the collapsed halls. Several Apollyons are placed there, but they are all normal units different from Nakamoto Tsuyoshi’s. Nakamoto purposefully calls out to one of them through the speaker. He knew in advance as information that he was aboard that unit.
「Are you alright, Hiniru?」
「N-Nakamoto?! Help me, what the hell is going on?!」
Hiniru, who was hiding inside, screams through the speaker upon hearing the voice. Fortunately, it seems 「Thunder」 didn’t come, so he was holed up while screaming. Seeing Nakamoto abandon the battle, Luck laughs.
「Admitting defeat? It’s an impossible game after all. Then I’ll go kill some civilians~」
「Yeah, your match can wait. He said it too, right? This battle is essentially irrelevant. What we should prioritize is the fulfillment of the prophecy.」
「?」
An ominous feeling runs through Luck. The same feeling as in the past, in the laboratory. A feeling as if events are occurring in a completely unrelated place to herself, and everything is progressing while leaving her behind. And faster than that feeling could grow, blackness enveloped the sky. Only Luck with her reflexes could observe the initial movement.
In 2060, the Expo Commemoration Park has a highway in close proximity. It was split. Without a sound, the pillars connecting the road and the ground are severed. The long, silvery threads dancing around it are called mono-molecular blades.
The reason 「Tonbo」 overlooked Shiroinu Reina is simple. In this situation, she had withdrawn from the battlefield by going underground. Normally, it would be a meaningless action. A poor move that reduces the operating time of the greatest combat force. And for them, even that was acceptable.
「Up we go…!」
The highway, estimated to be several dozen meters on each side. It was being lifted. At its foot stands Shiroinu Reina. Mono-molecular blades extend from her left arm, and her right arm has hypertrophied to an unbelievable size.
Several Strain tentacles are attached to her right arm. And from her waist, ten long metal tentacles extend to support the edge of the highway.
It is hurled towards 「Tonbo」.
「Huh?! What the hell is that?!」
The structure, weighing who knows how many tons or tens of tons, dances in the air and assaults Tonbo while crumbling. It’s like a shotgun, filling the sky with shadows.
However, 「Tonbo」 excels in flight ability. The highway is far too heavy for Shiroinu Reina to lift, so it doesn’t gain much speed. Amidst the confusion, she nimbly dodges the black masses.
「Uwaaaaah!!!!!」
And from below, as if piercing the heavens, a structure comes flying. From there, Hiniru’s scream flows at MAX. After being blown away by MNB, the 「Anfangsrot」 takes a catching stance. It accurately hits, and 「Tonbo」 loses consciousness along with the impact. Hiniru experiences the terror of having his machine’s limbs torn off, processed into an easy-to-throw shape, and then hurled high into the sky. Reina puts away her tentacles with a tired look. Fragments of the highway pass through the hall and fall into the deserted park.
「…What are you doing, big sisters?」
It’s excessive for defeating 「Tonbo」, and there’s no point in throwing Hiniru. It doesn’t seem like something they would prioritize over Luck, yet they move as if it’s their top priority. This is a battlefield. Their victory condition should be to repel 「SOD」, the invaders.
But for them, this is just a task. This is not a crucial moment or a heated battlefield, but merely a desk where they reluctantly sit to take care of numerous quotas. Repelling is taken for granted. Shiroinu Reina assumes she can achieve a 100% victory against Luck. Shiroinu Reina’s resources are not solely devoted to Luck. Defeating Luck is just one of the quotas.
「Big sis, is that more important than Nina and me?」
Luck’s simple question. Based on the premise that she is the strongest and should be regarded as the most vital force. However, the response is only chaos, and that’s why Luck’s will solidifies with tremendous momentum.
「Flying highway and Flying Hiniru achieved with this. Yep, this might be the most difficult part this time. How the heck do I make this meaningful…?」
「Hah, there must be meaning in that series of actions just now. …I’ll work hard to adjust it so we can say that, Shiroinu.」
「Eek, why did you throw me, Nakamoto…?」
「…I’ll kill you!」
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